LAB ASSISTANT

Position Summary

An employee in this position must be able to perform in the following areas:

• collection and proper handling of venous and capillary blood specimens for both in and out patients
• responsibility for the safety and comfort of customers
• clerical/computer duties
• courier responsibilities as required for the position
• assists in the training and orientation of new employees

Responsibilities

• properly collects blood samples from venous, and capillary (both finger and heel) sites as required by the facility
• properly handles all specimens including prompt transport to the lab, special tube requirements, on ice as needed, preparation and preservation, without contamination, etc.
• deliver all specimens to proper department within the laboratory
• correctly identify patients by hospital armband and by asking the patient his/her name and date-of-birth, by asking a family member or an RN the patient's name and date-of-birth
• properly use Hollister Ident-A-Band system for labeling blood bank specimens
• accurately label all specimens
• maintain phlebotomy tray and work area in a neat and sanitary manner
• responsible for care and maintenance of equipment and supplies (for example, maintaining appropriate supplies) and for notifying supervisor when items are in need of repair or replacement
• must comply with OSHA standards, Universal Precautions, hospital safety manuals, and laboratory policies and procedures
• knowledge of how to manually obtain orders when computers are down
• responsible for working on Lab and/or HIS computer systems as appropriate for specific hospital facility
• responsible for checking uncollected work lists several times during the shift and following up on any uncollected specimens or misplaced orders
• responsible for answering department telephone, transferring calls to the correct section, looking up test results, etc.
• responsible for accessioning and centrifuging specimens
• responsible for the following duties as required by the facility; posting billing summaries for physician office accounts; processing laboratory supply orders, receiving and storing stock; mailing and faxing reports to all clients; charting laboratory reports; and handling specimen send-outs

Requirements

Minimum Education: None specified; will accept any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically such as would be equivalent to a high school diploma or GED.

Minimum Experience: None

Licensure Requirement: Certification by NCA, ASCP, ASPT, or comparable institution is desirable.

Employee must have a valid Tennessee driver’s license Class D and state mandated minimum insurance coverage. Driving record must meet Covenant Health minimum standards at the date of hire and throughout employment tenure.